Well-known Northampton brewery will NOT be running multi-million-pound refurbished town centre pub despite six years of planning

Phipps Brewery will no longer be taking over the running of the Old Black Lion (OBL) in Black Lion Hill, near the railway station. The decision was announced this week, almost two years after the brewery was officially confirmed as the pub’s “perfect” operator.

In a statement, a Phipps spokesman said: “All at Phipps NBC wish The CCT well in finding an operator for The Old Black Lion, a wonderful historic Northampton pub that deserves to be part of the town's future.

"We are proud of the pivotal role we played as a partner in this project; from it's earliest planning discussions six years ago, through to the final designs of the newly restored pub interior. Given our long association with the Old Black Lion's revival, it is obviously sad that the by the time we received the terms of the lease in September 2025 the window of opportunity had closed. A mixture of changes to the nature of the project over time, changes within our own business and a difference in judgments on how the financial risks of such an enterprise should be spread, meant both parties were looking for something from the other that neither felt able to give.

“We remain sure the OBL will eventually become a beautiful, bustling, busy pub when it sits in the middle of a rebuilt Castle Ward, surrounded by houses, flats and other businesses. All of us look forward to enjoying a pint in its cosy bar when it does open.”

The site, purchased by the former Northampton Borough Council and later inherited by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), has been restored by the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT).

The CCT now uses the upper floor of the Old Black Lion as its national headquarters. The ground floor will reopen as a community-focused pub, with a landlord paying rent to the trust. Profits from the pub will support conservation work, including at nearby St Peter’s Church, while providing hospitality to support the church’s events and the wider regeneration of the area.

The £3.5 million refurbishment, which ran from March 2023 to autumn 2025, included refurbished bars, a new restaurant, and courtyard seating.

Following Phipps’ withdrawal, the CCT has engaged Fleurets to market the site to a wide network of potential operators.

A CCT spokesperson said: “Whilst we are unable to say who the pub operator will be yet, we will announce this as soon as possible.

“CCT remains committed to working with partners, West Northamptonshire Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund on the Old Black Lion project and the successful operation of the site.”

A WNC spokeswoman added: “As the CCT has confirmed, the withdrawal of the previous operator means they are now marketing the site to a wide range of potential operators to secure a new pub partner. That process is underway and, while no announcement can yet be made, updates will follow as soon as a suitable operator is confirmed.

“This is an ambitious heritage project, so timelines naturally shift as the work unfolds. Indicative dates serve as a guide for planning, but they are subject to change and often do as new details or opportunities emerge. We will continue to share updates with our communities as the next steps progress.

"We continue to work closely with the CCT as the Old Black Lion moves into its final phases. With the major repair and conservation work now finished to a very high standard, the building is already being put to good use, with the Trust’s national staff headquarters relocating there over the summer.

“WNC and the CCT remain fully committed to delivering the long-term success of the Old Black Lion. It is a significant part of Northampton’s story, and we look forward to celebrating its wider opening with residents in due course.”

The pub is supposed to become the “centrepiece” of the planned Marefair Heritage Gateway, which will include hundreds of new flats, a park, a hotel, and other developments.

The pub was also featured on BBC’s Digging for Britain in early 2024, which contributed to project delays.

According to the latest sale advert with Fleurets, the site holds a premises licence permitting the sale of alcohol: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 11pm, and Sunday, 12pm – 10.30pm. Prospective operators must demonstrate a minimum capital of approximately £100,000 to cover Stamp Duty Land Tax, one quarter’s rent, insurance, legal fees, working capital, and fixtures and fittings.

Funding for the project included £315,000 from the Towns Fund, £350,000 from S106/CIL contributions, £2.6 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and £100,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund.